Home Depot wire?

-
808-dartGT

808-dartGT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
179
Reaction score
95
Location
Honolulu
Aloha guys, I need to replace some corroded wires on my dart, any thoughts on Home Depot or Lowe’s wire? Is that a big no? Thank you
 
Not a likely place to buy multi-strand wire. Napa or any auto parts supplier,
10 foot 25 foot rolls usually available. Multiple colour choices
 
I reckon if it's multi stranded, the correct gauge and the right color, go for it. I knew a guy once who did his whole car in white stranded wire. It was all the right gauges, but all white made it confrooshing. lol
 
RustyRatRod said:
I reckon if it's multi stranded, the correct gauge and the right color, go for it. I knew a guy once who did his whole car in white stranded wire. It was all the right gauges, but all white made it confrooshing. lol
Click to expand...
I think kenworth uses all white wire. Its tagged though. Theres a machine that will mark the wire so it can be identified.
 
I know a lot of industrial applications use one color only, but yes it is labeled. I not sure what gauge I would need, I’m sure thickness of insulation and age of it is different from new ones. I was thinking when in doubt go bigger so less resistance, am I wrong? Color coded would be nice, but I don’t think I can find all correct colors anyway, but if I do one at the time as needed it should be ok. Of course later trouble shooting will be fun , a lot of ohming out ...
 
The insulation needs to be fuel and heat resistant. There are specs on the web for this look up SAE wire spec.

If you have the existing wires you can count the number of strands and get the diameter of one strand in thousandths of an inch and ding an AWG chart online and determine the wire gauge.
 
Dana67Dart said:
The insulation needs to be fuel and heat resistant. There are specs on the web for this look up SAE wire spec.

If you have the existing wires you can count the number of strands and get the diameter of one strand in thousandths of an inch and ding an AWG chart online and determine the wire gauge.
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea
 
Garry in AZ said:
I buy all my electrical stuff from these folks. They ship all over the world. Top quality products, great selection, and fantastic customer service.
Automotive Primary Wire – CE Auto Electric Supply
Click to expand...
Buying by the foot would seem to be an easy way for a person looking to upgrade the under hood wiring for reliability. 50 year old wiring has certainly done its job. New Packard connecters, and a good cleaning of the fuse block terminals would make a nice project for a Saturday. How many different colors and striped wires does the average Mopar V8 have underhood?
 
Whatever you do, don't use chinese wire. It's begging for a wire fire.

If you're not sure the gauge, get a size bigger. The automotive wire will be more flexible, less prone to work-harden, and as mentioned, won't be affected by solvents. The finer the stranding inside the wire, the better.
 
jos51700 said:
Whatever you do, don't use chinese wire. It's begging for a wire fire.

If you're not sure the gauge, get a size bigger. The automotive wire will be more flexible, less prone to work-harden, and as mentioned, won't be affected by solvents. The finer the stranding inside the wire, the better.
Click to expand...
That’s what I was thinking, going little bigger will not hurt anything.
I’m sure Chinese make some quality wire, but we don’t see it here because it cost a lot, copper prices are high around the world. Chinese wire you see here is lowest grade some copper galvanized aluminum melt of some sort.
 
If you want super high strand count / super high flexible

Check out a hobby shop
 
16-18 stranded is about right. House wire is thick but will work. Iirc car harness is fine strands for better flexibility. If your going big like under 10, get welding cable, it's very fine stranded and flexible like a welding gun cable. Good for battery runs to trunk. Automotive grade TXL/GXL/SXL wire withstands exposure to temperatures of up to 257°F (125°C) CHEAPEST TO MOST EXPENSIVE
 
Last edited:
Do not use household wire; it's not meant for the high-vibration service of a car. Use automotive-grade wire; it's not difficult or expensive to get hold of. Pishta's right that crosslinked insulation is nicer, but standard PVC insulation is plenty good enough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top